A few months ago, Nigerians woke up to the news that a voluntary religious militia force group known as Hispah Sharia Police had begun operating in some parts of the country.

Nigeria, which practices three major religions – Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion - has a large majority of Muslims and the current president of the country, Muhammadu Buhari is from the dominant Islamic religion.

Critics have continued to accuse the president of often turning a blind eye to activities – especially those involving attacks and insurgency carried out by Islamic groups in the country.

There is no doubt that the latest news from northern Nigeria where the Hispah Sharia Police have continued to make arrests will not go down well with many. This is because, despite the fact that the region is dominated by Muslims, there are also Christians and others living there. Thus, it is somewhat wrong to enforce Sharia law in any part of the country. Nigeria is not a Sharia country.

In the early hours of today, the Hispah Sharia Police in Jigawa State was reported to have apprehended 21 suspects; including 14 prostitutes accused of committing immoral acts and confiscated 111 bottles of alcohol.

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Speaking to newsmen in Dutse, the state capital, the Hisbah Commander in the state, Ibrahim Dahiru, said the suspects were arrested in Kazaure Local Government Area of the state.

He added that the Sharia police operatives of the command carried out the raid at the popular Gadar Kazaure joint, where a total of 111 bottles of beer was confiscated from the suspects in the process.

Dahiru noted that the suspects have already been charged to Sharia Court in Kazaure.

Warning the public against all forms of immoral acts and other vices capable of destroying the society, the Hisbah chief said his team “will continue to fight against immoral acts, including consumption of alcohol.

“People are also reminded that consumption of beer remains prohibited in all parts of the state,” he warned.

Going by what Ibrahim Dahiru said, it appears that there is already a structured Sharia Law involving a militia force and courts in the country.

In your opinion, do you think the government should allow this considering the fact that Nigeria is a multi-religious and ethnic country?